Though the attendance of 35,442 for the game wasn’t close to what the crowds were for the height of San Diego State’s rivalry with BYU, the Poinsettia’s executive director, Bruce Binkowski, said he was very pleased with the showing.

“We’re right where we wanted to be,” Binkowski said. “I’m very realistic about the attendance, and this is what we anticipated, so I’m very pleased with it.”

The attendance was the second-largest in Poinsettia Bowl history behind the 48,049 of the 2010 Navy vs. SDSU game.

According to Binkowski, BYU purchased its 11,000 allotment and SDSU bought a first batch of 5,000, followed by a second series of 5,000.

San Diego State averaged an announced attendance of 30,266 per home game this season, though that figure was helped by the crowd of 50,586 for the Hawaii game that feature the KGB Sky Show.

Making Poinsettia history

BYU LB Kyle Van Noy made Poinsettia Bowl history by forcing the first ever fumble return for a touchdown when he hit Aztecs’ QB Adam Dingwell in the fourth quarter, forced the fumble and then recovered it in the end zone to give BYU a 10-6 lead over the Aztecs.

The 23-6 final score also made this the lowest scoring game in Poinsettia Bowl history.

Lark wins the BYU QB battle

All week long, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said he would wait till game day to appoint his starting quarterback, and he played his cards close to the vest.

At game time, the program listed Riley Nelson as the starter, but James Lark ended up getting his second career start. Lark was ineffective in the first quarter (5-of-8 for 26 passing yards), and was replaced by Nelson for one offensive series in the second quarter.

Nelson went 0-for-2 through the air, with one rush attempt for 13 yards, and could not get the Cougars a first down. So Lark returned and stayed in, finishing 23-of-42 for 244 yards.

Aztec injuries

SDSU offensive tackle Zach Dilley limped off the field with 4:33 left in the first quarter with what appeared to be a left leg injury. The offensive lineman never got back into the game. He was, however, healthy enough to pedal an exercise bike on the sidelines in the second half.

Aztecs coach Rocky Long said after the game that he didn’t think Dilley’s injury was serious.

Wide receiver Colin Lockett was hit hard when he found himself caught in a BYU sandwich while trying to catch a potential touchdown by the goal line early in the first quarter. Lockett eventually returned.

McFadden into the record books

In the second quarter, Aztecs senior cornerback Leon McFadden got his 38th pass breakup to become SDSU’s all-time career leader. McFadden finishes his career with 39 total pass breakups.

Aztecs killed by turnovers

QB Adam Dingwell threw a season-worst three interceptions, and the Aztecs committed five turnovers for the second time this season. BYU had three turnovers of its own, with Nelson throwing an interception and Lark contributing two.